Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Fortune is not found bythe diggers of gold or by thosewho scavenge the marketplace

Fortune is not theirs who diveinto oceans to find what thosebefore them could afford to lose

In search of fortune, the pittancethat has enslaved too many livesBodies bent in search of fortuneMinds filled with madness of fortuneSouls enslaved in search of fortuneLifetimes gone by in pursuit of fortune

It is in giving away what the slavesof fortune value, One becomes fortunate

Fortunate are those who are blessed with givingFortunate are those who have lost need to hoardFortunate are those who do Shambho’s biddingFortunate are those who mingle and merge in Him

Monday, August 18, 2014

His wish and my willHardened into steely relentlessnessA resolve that broke throughthe world’s obstacles and trapsthat were set and sustained by thoseof ignorance and those in the know.

Knowing the fullness of fulfillment of purposeFeels like a full Moon is stuck in my HeartOozing a cool glory of sheer existence.

Tenderness of too much life leaves me tremblingThoughts and memories leave me in tearsSo many of You, Your struggles, Your joy, Your love,Your commitment and dedication. Above all Yourlonging to know. Could die of this too much tenderness

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Today, we as a nation are on a threshold. These seven decades of independence have been a journey of striving and sacrifice, corruption and bungling, great achievements and missed opportunities, dotted with four wars and now the threat of terrorism. Yet, with all this, we have still managed to reach a point where we as a nation are on the verge of a completely new possibility.

The coming decade will be crucial in solving the long endured problems of poverty and privation of large masses of people. For the very first time, we are in access of an opportunity to take a huge mass of humanity from one level of living to another. If we as a nation act in unity, awareness and focus, this will become a reality. We as a generation of Indians will have the fortune of realizing this never-before possibility. It is the duty of every citizen to strengthen the hands of those who have taken the responsibility of administering this nation.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Questioner: Sadhguru, both India and the UN celebrated Children’s Day recently – what message do you have for us regarding the youth of this nation and the world?

Sadhguru: The youth are more alive than you, more idealistic than you and more inspired than you. If the world was guided by the young, the world would be a better place to live. Because they are in a certain level of high-energy compared to the other part of the humanity, it is just that every little thing that they do is little exaggerated. If something constructive has to happen in the world, it has to be by the youth. If something destructive has to happen in the world, it too has to be by the youth.

Actually, it would be wonderful if this world were guided by little children because they’re closer to life than anybody else. After all, everything you wish to do is for human well-being. Human well-being means human happiness. If you look at your children and yourself, your children are definitely a lot happier than you are. This being the case, children should be consultants on life and not you. You are carried away by your thoughts and emotions; they’re much closer to life. If only the world learned from children rather than trying to teach children, the world would be a beautiful place.

The youth is in a certain state of high energy and if there is no inspiration or proper guidance, that energy can very easily turn negative.

Usually the older generation handle youth as some kind of disease that needs treatment. They don’t need treatment. It is people who have gone away from life who need treatment. Those close to life just live. The youth is in a certain state of high energy and if there is no inspiration or proper guidance, that energy can very easily turn negative.

Our educative systems have become 100% informative, there is no inspiration. Without inspiration, no human being raises beyond the limitations in which he lives. When it’s all information you can get it from anywhere. You don’t really have to listen to a teacher.

A teacher is not the best means of transmission when it comes to pure information. A book is better, the internet is even better. Only if the teacher’s role is to inspire people to learn and to create a thirst for knowledge, only then a teacher’s role has something to give. If he’s just trying to transmit information, the other means of transmission are better than a human being because a human being can always misinterpret. Making the whole education system purely informational has caused enormous damage. The time of life when you’re youthful, when you’re capable of many things, unfortunately goes waste simply because the necessary inspiration is not there.

It’s like nurturing a plant, if you want it to bear fruit, you have to nurture it everyday, you have to water it everyday, and you have to take care of it everyday. If this dedication is shown by adults, the youth will do miraculous things. Only because such dedication is missing in the general population, the youth seem to be disoriented – they don’t know what to do and they are doing their own things. Because everybody is working on short-term goals, the youth also work on short-term goals.

One big thing that needs to happen with the youth and with everybody is that their identification with humanity should not be limited to just themselves, it should include a larger society and a larger world around them. Unfortunately, this is missing in education. Modern education is constantly training people to only think about themselves and nothing but themselves. The whole process of science is only about how to use everything for our comfort and well being. Initially, we use the planet, then the trees and plants, then the animals, then of course the human beings also. We exploit everybody to our benefit and comfort. This attitude has been deeply set with the process of modern education.

As we are investing our time, resources and energies in transmitting informative knowledge, we have to invest a certain amount of time, energy and resources to inspire the youth. If this happens then the world would become a truly beautiful place.

Saturday, August 9, 2014

I am not the mind, the intellect, the ego or the memory,I am not the ears, the skin, the nose or the eyes,I am not space, not earth, not fire, water or wind,I am the form of consciousness and bliss,I am the eternal Shiva…

I am not the breath, nor the five elements,I am not matter, nor the 5 sheaths of conciousnessNor am I the speech, the hands, or the feet,I am the form of consciousness and bliss,I am the eternal Shiva…

There is no like or dislike in me, no greed or delusion,I know not pride or jealousy,I have no duty, no desire for wealth, lust or liberation,I am the form of consciousness and bliss,I am the eternal Shiva…

No virtue or vice, no pleasure or pain,I need no mantras, no pilgrimage, no scriptures or rituals,I am not the experienced, nor the experience itself,I am the form of consciousness and bliss,I am the eternal Shiva…

I have no fear of death, no caste or creed,I have no father, no mother, for I was never born,I am not a relative, nor a friend, nor a teacher nor a student,I am the form of consciousness and bliss,I am the eternal Shiva…

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

While it is true that there is no single definition or correct method of good parenting, a few parenting tips could go a long way in ensuring the happiness of your child. Let’s take a look at 10 guidelines that Sadhguru has for us on raising children.

Sadhguru: Parenting involves a certain amount of discretion. There is no one standard rule for all children. Different children may need different levels of attention, expression of love, and toughness. Suppose I was standing in a coconut garden and you ask me, “How much water per plant?” I’d say, “At least 50 liters per plant.” When you go home, if you give 50 liters to your rose plant, it will die. You must see what kind of plant you have in your house and what it needs.

#1 A Child is a Privilege

It is a privilege that this child – this bundle of joy – has come through you and arrived in your house. Children are not your property; they do not belong to you. Just see how to enjoy, nurture, and support them. Don’t try to make them an investment for your future.

#2 Let Them Be

Let them become whatever they have to become. Don’t try to mold them according to your understanding of life. Your child need not do what youdid in your life. Your child should do something that you did not even dare to think in your life. Only then will the world progress.

#3 True Love

People misunderstand that loving their children is to cater to whatever they ask for. If you get them everything they ask for, it is stupidity, isn’t it? When you are loving, you can do just whatever is needed. When you truly love someone, you are willing to be unpopular and still do what is best for them.

#4 There’s No Hurry To Grow Up

It is very important a child remains a child; there is no hurry to make him into an adult because you can’t reverse it later. When he is a child and he behaves like a child, it’s wonderful. When he becomes an adult and behaves like a child, that’s bad. There is no hurry for a child to become an adult.

#5 It’s Time To Learn, Not Teach

What do you know about life to teach your children? A few survival tricks are the only things you can teach. Please compare yourself with your child and see who is capable of more joy? Your child, isn’t it? If he knows more joy than you, who is better qualified to be a consultant about life, you or him?

When a child comes, it’s time to learn, not teach. When a child comes, unknowingly you laugh, play, sing, crawl under the sofa, and do all those things that you had forgotten to do. So it is time to learn about life.

#6 Children Are Naturally Spiritual

Children are very close to a spiritual possibility if only they are not meddled with. Generally, either the parents, teachers, society, television – somebody or the other meddles with them too much. Create an atmosphere where this meddling is minimized and a child is encouraged to grow into his intelligence rather than into your identity of religion. The child will become naturally spiritual without even knowing the word spirituality.

#7 Provide A Supportive And Loving Atmosphere

If you set an example of fear and anxiety, how can you expect your children to live in joy? They will also learn the same thing. The best thing you can do is to create a joyous and loving atmosphere.

#8 Maintain A Friendly Relationship

Stop imposing yourself on the child and create a strong friendship rather than being a boss. Don’t sit on a pedestal and tell the child what she should do. Place yourself below the child so that it’s easy for them to talk to you.

#9 Avoid Seeking Respect

Love is what you seek with your children, isn’t it? But many parents say, “You must respect me.” Except that you came a few years early, are bigger in body, and you know a few survival tricks, in what way are you a better life than him?

#10 Make Yourself Truly Attractive

A child is influenced by so many things – the TV, neighbors, teachers, school, and a million other things. He will go the way of whatever he finds most attractive. As a parent, you have to make yourself in a way that the most attractive thing he finds is to be with the parents. If you are a joyous, intelligent, and wonderful person, he won’t seek company anywhere else. For anything, he will come and ask you.

If you are genuinely interested in giving your children a good upbringing, you should first transform yourself into a peaceful and loving human being.